Rep. J.D. Hayworth: ‘Our Enemies Utilize The Blogosphere To Their Own Advantage’

Monday on Fox News’s Your World With Neil Cavuto, Rep. J.D. Hayworth (R-AZ) said that Sunday’s New York Times story on the new National Intelligence Estimate and the ensuing public discussion are “putting lives in danger” because terrorists are monitoring “these satellite broadcasts.” Additionally, terrorists are monitoring and utilizing “political posturing” and “cheap shots” in the blogosphere “to their own advantage.” Watch it:

[flv http://video.thinkprogress.org/2006/09/hayworthblog.320.240.flv]

Hayworth’s comments reflect similar statements that the right-wing has repeatedly used to discourage media criticism. Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld recently stated that the terrorists are “manipulating the media” to turn Americans against the war in Iraq.

HAYWORTH: We’re fighting the wrong war at the wrong time. The public discussion has moved from thoughtful criticism to just political gotcha. That is harmful, but the bottom line is I believe we’re putting lives in danger by exposing sources and methods. And let’s understand this doesn’t occur in a vacuum, Neil. Our enemies monitor these satellite broadcasts. Our enemies utilize the blogosphere to their own advantage. Let’s not forget a few years ago, al-Zarqawi and al-Zawahiri saying the Americans will wear down with the Vietnam Syndrome. Thoughtful criticism is always welcome. Political posturing and cheap shots are not.